Bermuda's veteran sailor Peter Bromby endured a disappointing day at the Bacardi Cup in Florida yesterday but still leads the fleet heading in to today's final and deciding race.

The Star Class sailor's hopes of clinching a third overall title at the world-class event with a day to spare went up in smoke as he finished 24th among the 64-boat fleet.

Yet despite that under-par performancee, the Bermudian held onto the top spot after discarding his worst finish (24) by a 5.3 point spread over nearest rival Mark Mendelblatt who finished third in yesterday's race.

The eventual Bacardi Cup champion will be determined today between either leader Bromby or past event winner and Americas Cup tactician Mendelblatt who are now locked in a two-horse battle for the spoils.

Bromby, joined onboard by Magnus Liljedahl of Sweden, is presently in the driver's seat and needs only to place among the top six boats or finish ahead of Mendelblatt to land a coveted hat-trick of Bacardi Cup titles.

The former Olympian won a first Bacardi title in 2001 and a second two years later sailing with compatriot Martin Siese onboard.

American Jon Vandermolen, who fell way off the pace yesterday after placing a disappointing 20th, is currently in third with 26 points.

A total of 63 boats from 15 countries are being represented at this year's Bacardi Cup which is considered as one of the most competitive Star Class events in the world.

The regatta is co-hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club and the US Sailing Center which are both based in Coconut Grove.

Elsewhere yesterday, Bermudians Martin Vezina and Tim Patton endured fluctuating fortunes at the Audi Etchells Worlds in Melbourne, Australia.

Vezina remained in 64th position overall after finishing 58th yesterday while Patton, making his 20th appearance in the regatta, did not post a score after being tagged with a DNC.